The Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund) has made a significant move to bolster its support for marine conservation by joining RedLAC, a network of environmental funds in Latin America and the Caribbean, at its 26th annual Congress. The RedLAC Congress, held in beautiful Saint Lucia from October 7-10, 2024, brought together about 200 conservation leaders from 42 countries to share ideas and strengthen regional efforts to conserve marine biodiversity. Belize Fund at the RedLAC Congress 2024 On October 6, during RedLAC’s General Assembly, the Belize Fund officially became a member of the network, joining 32 other members, including the Galápagos Life Fund. This partnership signifies a strategic advancement in Belize’s ability to translate global conservation commitments into local action. “Joining RedLAC means expanding our network and working together to make a bigger impact on marine conservation. ” said Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, Executive Director of the Belize Fund. “Our strength lies in finding long-term funding solutions that connect global goals with Belize’s conservation needs.” Dr. Cho-Ricketts participated in a panel on “Blue Financial Mechanisms and Opportunities” at the Congress. She joined experts like Amilcar Guzman from Grant Thornton and Michael McGreevey from Conservation International to discuss how sustainable financing supports Belize’s marine conservation and blue economy goals. Another highlight was a panel on Marine Protected Areas management, where Mr. Joel Verde, Board Member of the Belize Fund and Executive Director of the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development, spoke about Belize’s unique approach to financing conservation efforts. “The Belize Fund’s Strategic Partnership model allows us to move from competitive bidding to more predictable funding for protected areas,” explained Verde. This is key to managing Belize’s marine and coastal ecosystems sustainably. This approach, made possible under the 2021 debt-for-nature swap agreement between the Government of Belize and The Nature Conservancy to generate US $180 million over 20 years, aims to support conservation efforts, such as the goal to protect 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030. The discussion, enriched by insights from fellow panellists including Cuthbert Didier, Jenifer James, and Paola Romero, highlighted the importance of sustainable financing mechanisms for protected areas across the region. Advancing Regional Marine Conservation At the Congress, the Belize Fund also signed a pledge as a member of RedLAC’s Coastal and Marine Working Group. This pledge will allow the Belize Fund to better connect international conservation frameworks, like the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework, with local efforts. By joining this working group, the Belize Fund aims to collaborate on regional efforts to mobilize long-term funding for marine protected areas, restoring important habitats like mangroves and coral reefs, and supporting sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities, all while sharing knowledge across the region. “This pledge reflects our shared vision for protecting marine life in the region,” Dr. Cho-Ricketts emphasized. “By pooling our resources and expertise through RedLAC, we can achieve much more in safeguarding our marine ecosystems.” Through new financing models, strategic partnerships, and collaboration, the Belize Fund is committed to advancing marine conservation and resilience in coastal areas. A Milestone for Conservation Finance The RedLAC Congress successfully brought together environmental funds, investors, government representatives, and conservation experts from around the world, highlighting the important role of conservation trust funds like the Belize Fund. Our active participation and new membership in RedLAC marks a key step in advancing our mission to secure sustainable funding for marine conservation in Belize while supporting wider efforts to protect marine life and ecosystems across the region. Organized by the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF), with support from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and the Environmental Investment Fund of El Salvador (FIAES), the Congress theme was “30x30x30: The Path to 2030.”
